The Chronology of Chester Mills
from 1683 through 1846
1683 – The first Mill was erected on Chester Creek “at the head of the tidewater".
Caleb Pusey obtained land warrants for the mill: two parcels, 20 Acres in all on both sides of the Chester Creek just above high tide.
Caleb Pusey obtained land warrants for the mill: two parcels, 20 Acres in all on both sides of the Chester Creek just above high tide.
The original location was at a site upstream from the Pusey House. It is believed the initial site was some 350 yards upstream. A notation on a deed from 1705 shows, “near his now dwelling house with advice of the Proprietary and such other of the Partners as were in the Province, did in 1683 erect a corn mill.” (Confirmation is based largely on the location of English Milled Dam Stones found in the creek during the excavations of 1970’s) .
|
1683 – Pusey House was built. (the current East Room)
At this time the east room had a peaked roof, the ghost of which is still visible in the brickwork on the east end wall. A center door in the end of the building provided ladder access to the sleeping/storage loft area. The new venture soon became known as Chester Mills. The house and mills were on the main road (Indian trail) going north and south. Many travelers passed by and spent the night with Caleb and his family. |
Charles Ashcomb, Surveyor - Map of 1683
Shows 100 acres owned by Caleb Pusey on the Chester Creek (shows a house)
Shows 50 acres next door to Caleb owned by Richard Townsend (shows a house)
Shows all other current Upland area 500 acres owned by Thomas Brassey.
1683 – The new Chester mill and its dam “were soon swept away by a flood.”
1684 - “Soon after” Caleb Pusey built a second mill (grist and saw) upon part of the 20 acres, “and made a dam over the Creek a little above where the first mill stood”.
1684 – Wm. Penn returned to England.
1684 - “Soon after” Caleb Pusey built a second mill (grist and saw) upon part of the 20 acres, “and made a dam over the Creek a little above where the first mill stood”.
1684 – Wm. Penn returned to England.
1685 – Richard Townsend relinquished his shares in the mill and premises, and sold his 50 acres along Chester Creek to Caleb Pusey and moved to Germantown, where he later built and established his own mill.
1687 – The “Great Land Flood” carried away the dam from the second mill, but not the mill itself, as has often been reported. (1705 deed notes state; “Thereupon, the partners found it advisable to take the water out of the Creek about a mile above the said Mills”).
Ashmead’s History of Delaware County states that; “ The expenses attending these constant repairs were so great that the outlay far exceeded the earnings of the mill, and Pusey borrowed money from time to time from Robert Turner, a merchant of Philadelphia, in order to pay for the improvements.” (Page 429)
1687 – The “Great Land Flood” carried away the dam from the second mill, but not the mill itself, as has often been reported. (1705 deed notes state; “Thereupon, the partners found it advisable to take the water out of the Creek about a mile above the said Mills”).
Ashmead’s History of Delaware County states that; “ The expenses attending these constant repairs were so great that the outlay far exceeded the earnings of the mill, and Pusey borrowed money from time to time from Robert Turner, a merchant of Philadelphia, in order to pay for the improvements.” (Page 429)
1687 – Caleb Pusey bought two (2) acres of land from Thomas Brassey to “dig and make a mill race”. (Note: this mill race is under the meadow in front of the Pusey House and runs parallel to Race Street, for which it is named.)
1688 – Ashmead says; “In settlement of these advances Pusey, on June 21, 1688, drew a bill of exchange on Daniel Worley & Co. (the court record gives the name Whearley), merchants, of London, partners in the mills, for one hundred and eighty-seven pounds, payable at forty days' sight to Robert Turner or order. On Oct. 15, 1688, the original bill was presented to the drawee, who said "that he would not accept the sd bill for that the others Concerned in the same would not allow their proportionable shares," and the bill was protested.”
1690 – the Commissioners of Property issued patent of gift from William Penn to Caleb Pusey “for the use of the said Mill”, 20 acres of land on Chester Creek on which to build the newest (Third) Mill. (See “Penn’s 20 Acre Gift of Patent to Pusey” document in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1691 – Caleb Pusey (with six others, including James Sandilands) “presented” by the Grand Jury of which Caleb was Foreman, for selling beer without a license.1690 – the Commissioners of Property issued patent of gift from William Penn to Caleb Pusey “for the use of the said Mill”, 20 acres of land on Chester Creek on which to build the newest (Third) Mill. (See “Penn’s 20 Acre Gift of Patent to Pusey” document in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1691 – Caleb Pusey (with six others, including James Sandilands) “presented” by the Grand Jury of which Caleb was Foreman, for selling beer without a license.
1691 – Caleb Pusey (with six others, including James Sandilands) “presented” by the Grand Jury of which Caleb was Foreman, for selling beer without a license.1690 – the Commissioners of Property issued patent of gift from William Penn to Caleb Pusey “for the use of the said Mill”, 20 acres of land on Chester Creek on which to build the newest (Third) Mill. (See “Penn’s 20 Acre Gift of Patent to Pusey” document in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1691 – Caleb Pusey (with six others, including James Sandilands) “presented” by the Grand Jury of which Caleb was Foreman, for selling beer without a license.
1692 – Robert Turner gets a judgment for money loaned to rebuild the mill and dig the Race (in 1687). The original partners owed £319/18s/71/2p, and washed their hands of a bad investment. Turner gets awarded 22 shares of the partnership in payment which he sold to Samuel Carpenter. “The mills being much decayed”, Carpenter planned to rebuild lower down the creek. He gets Caleb Pusey to donate 5 acres 94 Perches of his land-grant acquired from Penn in 1690. Caleb retains his water-meadow and a cartway to the creek. (See the map by Lightfoot; 1730; Delaware County Historical Society Library)
1693 – Penn, Carpenter and Pusey signed an agreement of partnership.
1693 – Penn, Carpenter and Pusey signed an agreement of partnership.
1693 – Chester Mills paid the highest tax in Chester Township. Robert Langum, having served Caleb Pusey for eight years, is freed. Alexander Ross, Caleb’s bound boy (kidnapped from Scotland) is adjudged by the Court to be eleven years of age, and is set to serve until he comes of age.
1693 – The millrace is extended through Caleb’s 100 acres to the third mill which had been erected on the 20 acre tract.
During the 1690’s – The West Room was likely added during this period. Records indicate that there was a Chester Friends gathering (meeting) at the home of “Friend Pusey” in the summer of 1696 where the men were said to have been in one room, while the women were in another. (This is the only known reference to there being two rooms in the Pusey house).
During the 1690’s – The West Room was likely added during this period. Records indicate that there was a Chester Friends gathering (meeting) at the home of “Friend Pusey” in the summer of 1696 where the men were said to have been in one room, while the women were in another. (This is the only known reference to there being two rooms in the Pusey house).
December, 1699–Thomas Story’s Journal indicates that William Penn came to the Pusey House for midday dinner. This was during William Penn’s second and last visit to the colony.
To commemorate the successful partnership of William Penn, Samuel Carpenter and Caleb Pusey in Chester Mills, a weathervane was made and is currently in the keeping of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and residing at the Atwater-Kent Museum in Philadelphia.
To commemorate the successful partnership of William Penn, Samuel Carpenter and Caleb Pusey in Chester Mills, a weathervane was made and is currently in the keeping of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and residing at the Atwater-Kent Museum in Philadelphia.
1700 – Francis Worley and Mary, his wife (daughter and heir of Thomas Brassey) convey to Samuel Carpenter 1/2 part of three tracts of land along Ridley Creek (not mill lands). Caleb Pusey already had the other half: 200 acres on Ridley Creek.
1701 - A proposal to turn over the proprietary colonies to the crown, forces Penn to return to England, November 1701 on the 'Dalmahoy'. Caleb Pusey is appointed by Penn as one of the “Councillors of State” in his absence.
1705 – The Commissioners of Property grant Caleb Pusey three parcels of land on Ridley Creek totaling 175 acres.
1705 – Carpenter and Pusey purchase 75 acres on Ridley Creek from John Parker, selling 60 acres to Rebecca Fawcett, widow of “Walter Ffawcett” and retaining 15 acres making the holdings along Ridley Creek 215 acres in all. Samuel Carpenter “the older” sells to Caleb Pusey, for £1000, his 22/32 shares the mill and lands, including the 215 acres. (Worley and Parker Tracts, recorded in 1706).
1705 – Carpenter and Pusey purchase 75 acres on Ridley Creek from John Parker, selling 60 acres to Rebecca Fawcett, widow of “Walter Ffawcett” and retaining 15 acres making the holdings along Ridley Creek 215 acres in all. Samuel Carpenter “the older” sells to Caleb Pusey, for £1000, his 22/32 shares the mill and lands, including the 215 acres. (Worley and Parker Tracts, recorded in 1706).
1705 – Mary Royle, kidnapped in Scotland and carried to Pennsylvania, is sold as a bound girl to Caleb Pusey for five years. She is aged 11 or 12.
1705 – Thomas Story visits the Puseys.
1705 – Thomas Story visits the Puseys.
1706 – Caleb Pusey sells Henry Worley, both called “yeomen”, for £500 a 'A part or 8 shares (of 32) of the Mills (already under option to him for 1 year) and 8 shares of Mill-lands 5 acres and 94 Perches, 8 shares of 20 acres, 8 shares of the Woodmansey 1/2 acre, of buildings, of three tracts of land (200 acres), and of 15 acres on Ridley Creek 1/2 share. Worley to continue to allow Caleb to take water from the Race and keep a cartway. Witness: Alexander Ross, who had been Pusey’s bound boy.
1706 – New road from north to south was finished, and Chester Mills area was not on the route. The Queen’s Road entered Chester from the North and progressed to Market Square. Leaving Chester to the South, this new road was known as the King’s Road. For a time, Landingford Plantation and the Chester Mills area lost the limelight.
1707 – Thomas Story is present at the double wedding of Caleb and Anne’s two daughters. (See the “George Painter and Lidya Pusey Wedding Certificate – 1706/7” hanging in the Crozer Schoolhouse.)
1708 – Caleb Pusey altered one of the mills to a “Fulling Mill”, so he must have continued as manager. Pusey sells to Isaac Norris for £250 a 1/8 share in the Mills, retaining Water and Cartage rights.
1709 – Caleb sold to James Logan for £250 a 1/8 share in the Mills. Worley has 'A, Norris has 1/8, Logan has 1/8, leaving Caleb Pusey with 1/2 share. Not mentioned in the deeds is the acquisition of Penn’s 1/3 share (as of 1692-99).
1709? – Caleb and his family may have moved into a home in the Town of Chester. Caleb owned a city lot there. Henry Worley, Caleb’s stepson must have taken over management of Chester Mills at some point. For a time it is known as Henry Worley & Company.
1709? – Caleb and his family may have moved into a home in the Town of Chester. Caleb owned a city lot there. Henry Worley, Caleb’s stepson must have taken over management of Chester Mills at some point. For a time it is known as Henry Worley & Company.
1710 – Caleb Pusey sold to John Salkeld for £15 1734 acres of his 60 acre Hendricks Tract. (See the “1710 Caleb Pusey to John Salkeld Deed” document hanging in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1710, 11 and 12 – Caleb Pusey was a member of the Assembly. After 1712, his name does not appear in the Upland Court records.
1712 – A letter from William Penn to “My deare fFriends S. Carpenter, J. Norris, C. Peusey, S. Preston, T. Storey, G. Owen, etc., at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. - - “I grow old and infirm, yet would gladly see you once more before I dye - - “. In this letter he is announcing that he has transferred government to the Queen. (Anne).
1712 – A letter from William Penn to “My deare fFriends S. Carpenter, J. Norris, C. Peusey, S. Preston, T. Storey, G. Owen, etc., at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. - - “I grow old and infirm, yet would gladly see you once more before I dye - - “. In this letter he is announcing that he has transferred government to the Queen. (Anne).
1715 – Isaac Taylor map “whereof belong to Jon. Dickinson and Isaac Norris’s Mills”.. Indicates that Jon. Dickinson was already a partner at this time.
1716 – Historical Note: John Salkeld and his wife Agnes sold the 1734 acre plot to Tobias Hendricks (the son of Albert) for the sum of £23 in silver. (See the “1716/1717 Salkeld to Hendricks Deed” document hanging in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1717 – Caleb Pusey retired from public life and moved his wife to London Grove, East Marlborough, where he died in 1727. Pusey corner cupboard is believed to have been given in tribute to Caleb at his retirement from active political and social life.
1718 – Hannah Carpenter, widow, and her youngest son John, sold to Jon. Dickinson, Philadelphia merchant, 3/32 parts of Chester Mills and Lands and Freeboards for £93, 16s. (Samuel Carpenter’s will dated 1714.) This was Samuel Carpenter, aka “the older” or “the colonist”.
1719 – (Recorded in 1768) the indenture between Caleb Pusey of East Marlborough and Henry Worley of Chester, and Jon. Dickinson of Philadelphia, Merchant, and Isaac Norris of Philadelphia, Merchant: Henry Worley joins Caleb Pusey in selling for £20, 21 acres of the 175 acres to Jon. Dickinson and Isaac Norris. Witness: (at the recording) Caleb Pusey, Junior, (Caleb's nephew, the son of his brother, John) 1768. This is the last deed by Caleb Pusey concerning the Chester Mills.
1719 - Henry Worley and Mary his wife of Chester, sold to Isaac Norris and Jon. Dickinson of Philadelphia, Merchants, 164 acres and 66 Perches. (Tracts)
1716 – Historical Note: John Salkeld and his wife Agnes sold the 1734 acre plot to Tobias Hendricks (the son of Albert) for the sum of £23 in silver. (See the “1716/1717 Salkeld to Hendricks Deed” document hanging in the Crozer Schoolhouse).
1717 – Caleb Pusey retired from public life and moved his wife to London Grove, East Marlborough, where he died in 1727. Pusey corner cupboard is believed to have been given in tribute to Caleb at his retirement from active political and social life.
1718 – Hannah Carpenter, widow, and her youngest son John, sold to Jon. Dickinson, Philadelphia merchant, 3/32 parts of Chester Mills and Lands and Freeboards for £93, 16s. (Samuel Carpenter’s will dated 1714.) This was Samuel Carpenter, aka “the older” or “the colonist”.
1719 – (Recorded in 1768) the indenture between Caleb Pusey of East Marlborough and Henry Worley of Chester, and Jon. Dickinson of Philadelphia, Merchant, and Isaac Norris of Philadelphia, Merchant: Henry Worley joins Caleb Pusey in selling for £20, 21 acres of the 175 acres to Jon. Dickinson and Isaac Norris. Witness: (at the recording) Caleb Pusey, Junior, (Caleb's nephew, the son of his brother, John) 1768. This is the last deed by Caleb Pusey concerning the Chester Mills.
1719 - Henry Worley and Mary his wife of Chester, sold to Isaac Norris and Jon. Dickinson of Philadelphia, Merchants, 164 acres and 66 Perches. (Tracts)
1721 – Dickinson and Norris paid £1 tax on the Mills and Plantation. 1722 – Isaac Norris alone is assessed tax of
£1-4s-0p on £23 value.
1723 – 15/32 share of the Mills and 34 (acres) of the Worley Plantation mortgaged in the estate division of Jon. Dickinson.
1724 – Isaac Norris paid tax of £1-10s-0p. The Dickinson estate paid the Penn family £1000.
1725 – Isaac Norris is taxed only on the Plantation.
Note: From 1727 to 1752 the tax lists do not record taxes paid on the Mills. ( per Mrs. Mary Patterson, early historian and researcher with The Friends of the Caleb Pusey House, Inc. (FCPH))
1727 – Richard Townsend, in his autobiographical notes of this year, said that he brought over the mill (Chester Mills), built it, and that it was very successful, but his name does not appear in the deeds, except as an early share-holder.
£1-4s-0p on £23 value.
1723 – 15/32 share of the Mills and 34 (acres) of the Worley Plantation mortgaged in the estate division of Jon. Dickinson.
1724 – Isaac Norris paid tax of £1-10s-0p. The Dickinson estate paid the Penn family £1000.
1725 – Isaac Norris is taxed only on the Plantation.
Note: From 1727 to 1752 the tax lists do not record taxes paid on the Mills. ( per Mrs. Mary Patterson, early historian and researcher with The Friends of the Caleb Pusey House, Inc. (FCPH))
1727 – Richard Townsend, in his autobiographical notes of this year, said that he brought over the mill (Chester Mills), built it, and that it was very successful, but his name does not appear in the deeds, except as an early share-holder.
1731 – Isaac Norris assigned his share of the Worley Tract to his daughter Mary, wife of Thomas Griffiths.
1741 – Mary and Thomas Griffiths granted to the son of Isaac Norris (Isaac Norris, Jr.) their half of the above mentioned Worley Tracts. (not the Mills); the other half belonged to the Dickinson estate. (see 1723)
1745 – Executor Logan of the Dickinson estate sold the /2 share of the 164-3/4 acre Worley Tracts to John Pennell.
1745 ? – Ashmead states; “the old mill having been almost destroyed by an accidental fire, a new stone mill was built by Joseph Pennell, the then owner of the property. He was the Grandfather of John P. Crozer. “
1745 – Samuel Shaw appears on the tax list as “freeman”, not Miller.
1749 – Isaac Norris, Jr. conveys to John Pennell the Norris /2 part of the tracts. John Pennell now has both halves of the tracts.
1741 – Mary and Thomas Griffiths granted to the son of Isaac Norris (Isaac Norris, Jr.) their half of the above mentioned Worley Tracts. (not the Mills); the other half belonged to the Dickinson estate. (see 1723)
1745 – Executor Logan of the Dickinson estate sold the /2 share of the 164-3/4 acre Worley Tracts to John Pennell.
1745 ? – Ashmead states; “the old mill having been almost destroyed by an accidental fire, a new stone mill was built by Joseph Pennell, the then owner of the property. He was the Grandfather of John P. Crozer. “
1745 – Samuel Shaw appears on the tax list as “freeman”, not Miller.
1749 – Isaac Norris, Jr. conveys to John Pennell the Norris /2 part of the tracts. John Pennell now has both halves of the tracts.
1750 – John Pennell, Jr. and Martha his wife sold to Nathan Dicks, Ironmonger, for £450, 149-3/4 acres and 32 Perches (not Mill lands).
1752 – John Pennell, the Younger, and Martha his wife, sold for £334-10s, to Samuel and Thomas Shaw, then of Pennypack in Philadelphia, Chester Mills and two tracts of land: 1. on which the old Mills stood; 2. The 9 acres and 13 Perches and 22/32 parts of 3 tracts called Mill-lands and Cartway from the Ford.
Around this time the gambrel roof may have been installed on the east room of the Pusey House to make room for children in the loft.
Samuel Shaw, of the borough of Chester, miller, records owning a Negro man, Peter, 36, and a negro man, Buff, age 23. Both listed as slaves for life.
Up to this time the annual tax continued to be collected by the Penn heirs.
1752 – John Pennell, the Younger, and Martha his wife, sold for £334-10s, to Samuel and Thomas Shaw, then of Pennypack in Philadelphia, Chester Mills and two tracts of land: 1. on which the old Mills stood; 2. The 9 acres and 13 Perches and 22/32 parts of 3 tracts called Mill-lands and Cartway from the Ford.
Around this time the gambrel roof may have been installed on the east room of the Pusey House to make room for children in the loft.
Samuel Shaw, of the borough of Chester, miller, records owning a Negro man, Peter, 36, and a negro man, Buff, age 23. Both listed as slaves for life.
Up to this time the annual tax continued to be collected by the Penn heirs.
1761 – Samuel Shaw, Jr., of Philadelphia, sold to Sam. Shaw, Miller, of Chester, /2 share of 54 /2 acres and 13 Perches, 27/32 of Mill lands.
1762 – Thomas Shaw dies intestate. His half went to his only brother and heir, Samuel Shaw, Jr., of Philadelphia, Merchant. Deed Samuel Shaw, Jr. to Sam. Shaw, Miller of Chester, 1761, “the aforesaid 9 acres and 13 Perches, formerly belonging to Robert Wade, late of Chester.” (1675-1683).
1764 – Samuel Shaw is said to “have a very large family”, and was taxed at £766.
1762 – Thomas Shaw dies intestate. His half went to his only brother and heir, Samuel Shaw, Jr., of Philadelphia, Merchant. Deed Samuel Shaw, Jr. to Sam. Shaw, Miller of Chester, 1761, “the aforesaid 9 acres and 13 Perches, formerly belonging to Robert Wade, late of Chester.” (1675-1683).
1764 – Samuel Shaw is said to “have a very large family”, and was taxed at £766.
1777 – George Washington, fearful that the British would seize the mills at Chester, ordered that the mill stones be removed a to a safe place and there be buried. Since the Mills were back in business immediately after the war, they must have returned the stones or bought new ones.
1784 – Sam. Shaw, Jr., of Philadelphia, died intestate and his estate was divided among his children by decree of the Orphan’s Court. The Mills were given to John Shaw, the eldest son, he to sell them and share the proceeds with the other children.
1786 – John Shaw to William Shaw, 1/3 part. Witness is Richard Flower.
1786 – John Shaw sold 3 of 5 parts of the Mills and 2 tracts of land to Sam Shaw, Miller of Chester (John had a brother Sam in 1786/87) for £1422, who contracted to pay off the mortgage. He got 9/32 of Mill-lands and 451/4 acres receipt for payment.
1788 – The High Sheriff sold to Henry Hale Graham (defendant Job Dicks) 2/3 parts of Mill tracts and 18/32 shares. Plaintiff was B. Parker, (son of J. Parker), who held the mortgage.
1788 – William Shaw, yeoman of Chester, and Anne his wife, sold to H. H. Graham 1/3 part of Mill and Tracts for £1000. Graham, Attorney, then held 3/3. (William was the son of Samuel Shaw)
1784 – Sam. Shaw, Jr., of Philadelphia, died intestate and his estate was divided among his children by decree of the Orphan’s Court. The Mills were given to John Shaw, the eldest son, he to sell them and share the proceeds with the other children.
1786 – John Shaw to William Shaw, 1/3 part. Witness is Richard Flower.
1786 – John Shaw sold 3 of 5 parts of the Mills and 2 tracts of land to Sam Shaw, Miller of Chester (John had a brother Sam in 1786/87) for £1422, who contracted to pay off the mortgage. He got 9/32 of Mill-lands and 451/4 acres receipt for payment.
1788 – The High Sheriff sold to Henry Hale Graham (defendant Job Dicks) 2/3 parts of Mill tracts and 18/32 shares. Plaintiff was B. Parker, (son of J. Parker), who held the mortgage.
1788 – William Shaw, yeoman of Chester, and Anne his wife, sold to H. H. Graham 1/3 part of Mill and Tracts for £1000. Graham, Attorney, then held 3/3. (William was the son of Samuel Shaw)
1791 – Henry Hale Graham died intestate. Property went to son William who married Abigail Pennell. Their son was the Historian Henry Graham Ashmead.
1792 - Ownership passed to Henry Graham’s daughter and son-in-law, Henrietta and Richard Flowers. William Graham, Attorney, sold to Richard Flower, Miller of Chester, for £4000. The Flowers family continued to care for the place and the old deeds, and appreciated the story in them.
1794 – Richard Flowers had built a ‘schallop’, a boat with oars and sails to carry his flour from Chester Mills to Philadelphia. A Schallop draws <5 feet of water loaded, and could be navigated up the Chester Creek to the mills. This enabled businesses rise from a grist mill operation to the designation as a “merchant mill”. Flower bought milling patents for the Oliver Evans “Continuous Milling Process and Machinery” for a price of 60 Spanish Milled Dollars. (Note: There is a great display of Evans machinery at the Hagley Museum in Delaware.)
November 7, 1795 – Richard Flowers, along with a group of business partners known well to him, purchased the “Georgia Packet”, a 113 ton vessel built in 1791, and began to ship internationally from Chester Mills.
December 7, 1797 – the “Georgia Packet) sailed for Port au Prince, Haiti with food stuffs claimed not to be contraband of war. She was captured by a French privateer “The Loyalty”, condemned and declared illegal cargo. This began the decline of Richard Flowers flour milling success.
1792 - Ownership passed to Henry Graham’s daughter and son-in-law, Henrietta and Richard Flowers. William Graham, Attorney, sold to Richard Flower, Miller of Chester, for £4000. The Flowers family continued to care for the place and the old deeds, and appreciated the story in them.
1794 – Richard Flowers had built a ‘schallop’, a boat with oars and sails to carry his flour from Chester Mills to Philadelphia. A Schallop draws <5 feet of water loaded, and could be navigated up the Chester Creek to the mills. This enabled businesses rise from a grist mill operation to the designation as a “merchant mill”. Flower bought milling patents for the Oliver Evans “Continuous Milling Process and Machinery” for a price of 60 Spanish Milled Dollars. (Note: There is a great display of Evans machinery at the Hagley Museum in Delaware.)
November 7, 1795 – Richard Flowers, along with a group of business partners known well to him, purchased the “Georgia Packet”, a 113 ton vessel built in 1791, and began to ship internationally from Chester Mills.
December 7, 1797 – the “Georgia Packet) sailed for Port au Prince, Haiti with food stuffs claimed not to be contraband of war. She was captured by a French privateer “The Loyalty”, condemned and declared illegal cargo. This began the decline of Richard Flowers flour milling success.
1811 – The Flowers new saw mill is completed at Chester Mills.
1813 – By this time (most certainly by 1815) Chester Mills had ceased to function as a flour milling center, but they continued to grow its lumber cutting function. The growing cotton and woolen industries had led to the high risks of dealing in flour for export.
1824 – William Graham Flower was operating the saw mill at Chester Mills and advertising ash planks and other assorted lumber for sale at his mill. However after this year, he no longer offered lumber for sale from the Chester Mills location. He removed the lumber to Chester for sale. Other merchants were selling ‘Susquehanna’ lumber from locations in Chester, and nobody wanted to come the 2 miles up Chester Creek to buy it from Chester Mills.
1826 – The Chester Mills ground grist only occasionally, but continued to cut >310,000 bd/feet of lumber per year.
1835 – The Delaware County Branch Railroad Company was incorporated, and a committee of manufacturers was formed to ascertain the amount of commerce that would be transported by a Chester Creek Railroad, with the estimated cost to be $360,000. The project languished because of financial problems.
1838 – The Delaware County Branch Railroad Company tried to revive the Chester Creek Railroad project unsuccessfully.
1839 – William Flower, still an owner/investor in the Chester Mills lumber operations, suffered a financial loss when 50,000 bd/feet of lumber was swept away at Chester Mills in a flash flood.
1842 – The Chester Mills were again severely damaged by a flash flood.
1842 – J. W. Ashmead and Henrietta, his wife sold to John P. Crozer, 60 acres for $13,500. Here was the first reference to Dollars used in these transactions.
July 24, 1843 – Richard Flower died leaving a mortgaged mill, six heirs and no will. The trustee for the estate was Edward Darlington.
June 14, 1844 – Richard Flower’s estate was first advertised for sale.
February 13, 1845 – 35 acres were sold to William Flower and 60 acres including the Chester Mills sold to John W. Ashmead. John W. Ashmead was a son-in-law of Richard Flower, and was the father of the historian Henry Graham Ashmead. John W. Ashmead immediately sold the mill site and 66 acres to John P. Crozer. Crozer was, at the time of this purchase, had been living at Crozerville since 1839.
1846 – John P. Crozer built the Cotton mill known as Mill #1; a 5 story stone structure, 138 feet long by 50 feet wide. This cotton mill was located at the east end of the old mill race built by Caleb Pusey. John P. also built a number of stone dwellings for his mill operators. Mill #1, along with some of these dwellings are still standing, and in use.